US6664970B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US6664970B1
Application number: US09/573,551
Authority: US
Inventors: Akihiro Matsushita
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 1999-05-21
Filing date: 2000-05-19
Publication date: 2003-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-19
Also published as: JP2001042852A

Abstract

A display apparatus includes a resolution conversion unit for converting the resolution of an input image signal into a predetermined resolution and generating a sync signal synchronized with the converted image signal, a mixing unit for mixing an on-screen display signal synchronized with the sync signal and the converted image signal, and a display unit for displaying an image related to an image signal output from the mixing means in accordance with the sync signal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus which converts the resolution of an input image signal and can perform on-screen display.

2. Related Background Art

Recently, computers output image signals having various resolutions. Accordingly, display apparatuses have been manufactured which can receive these image signals having various resolutions output from computers and display images by converting the input resolutions in accordance with the resolution of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel. Also, display apparatuses which can receive not only computer signals but video signals of, e.g., NTSC and display images by converting the input resolutions in accordance with the resolution of a display device, have been manufactured.

Many such display apparatuses have a so-called on-screen display (to be referred to as OSD hereinafter) function which, when the user wants to adjust the contrast, brightness, and position of the screen, displays the states of adjustment as characters on the screen. When this OSD is performed, if OSD information is mixed with an input image signal and the resolution of this mixed image signal is converted in accordance with the resolution of a display device, the size and position of the OSD on the screen change according to the conversion magnification which changes in accordance with the resolution of the input image signal.

To solve the above problem and obtain OSD having the same size regardless of the resolutions of input image signals, the conventional approach is to prepare fonts of OSD characters for different resolutions and switch fonts to be used in accordance with the resolution of interest, thereby obtaining OSD of the same size.

In the above method, however, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of OSD character fonts for different resolutions respectively. This increases the size of an OSD character font memory and the cost. Also, it is necessary to switch fonts to be used for each resolution and reset the OSD position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems.

It is another object of the present invention to perform OSD having an optimum size in a predetermined position on a screen even when a resolution conversion process is performed.

To achieve the above objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display apparatus comprising resolution converting means for converting the resolution of an input image signal into a predetermined resolution and generating a sync signal synchronized with the converted image signal, mixing means for mixing an on-screen display signal synchronized with the sync signal and the converted image signal, and display means for displaying an image related to an image signal output from the mixing means in accordance with the sync signal.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a display apparatus as the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the arrangement of an OSD mixing unit in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a display apparatus as the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the arrangement of an OSD mixing unit in the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a display apparatus as the third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view showing the arrangement of an OSD mixing unit in the apparatus shown in FIG.5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an analog RGBinput image signal109, such as a computer RGB image signal or a video RGB image signal, is input to an A/D conversion unit101. Note that a composite video signal or the like is input to the A/D conversion unit101 after being converted into an analog RGB signal. Simultaneously, ahorizontal sync signal110 andvertical sync signal111 synchronized with the analog RGBinput image signal109 are input to aresolution conversion unit103 andcontrol unit107.

From the inputhorizontal sync signal110 andvertical sync signal111, thecontrol unit107 measures the horizontal frequency, the polarity of horizontal sync signal, the vertical frequency, and the polarity of vertical sync signal of theinput image signal109. On the basis of the measurement results, thecontrol unit107 determines the resolution of theinput image signal109.

Aclock generation unit106 receives resolution information such as a frequency division number from thecontrol unit107 via acontrol line113. On the basis of the received information, theclock generation unit106 divides the frequency of thehorizontal sync signal110 to generate apixel clock112 synchronized with theinput image signal109. Thispixel clock112 is input to the A/D conversion unit101, a signal processing unit102, and theresolution conversion unit103 and used in signal processing by each unit.

The A/D conversion unit101 samples the analog RGBinput image signal109 in pixel basis in accordance with thepixel clock112, thereby converting the signal into a digital value. An A/D-converteddigital image signal117 is input to the signal processing unit102. On the basis of set values such as a contrast set value, a brightness set value, and a gamma set value received from thecontrol unit107 via acontrol line114, the signal processing unit102 performs contrast processing, brightness processing, and gamma processing for theinput image signal117.

Animage signal118 thus processed by the signal processing unit102 is input to theresolution conversion unit103. On the basis of resolution information received from thecontrol unit107 via acontrol line115, theresolution conversion unit103 converts the resolution in accordance with the number of pixels of adisplay device105 such as a liquid crystal panel. Assume that the resolution of theinput image signal109 is 640×480 pixels and the resolution of thedisplay device105 is 1,024×768 pixels.

When this is the case, thecontrol unit107 sets 640×480 sampling of theimage signal118 and the sampling start position for theresolution conversion unit103. In accordance with these settings, theresolution conversion unit103 samples theimage signal118 by 640 (horizontal direction)×480 (vertical direction) pixels, enlarges it to an image having 1,024×768 pixels which is the resolution of thedisplay device105, by an operation such as interpolation, and outputs it as animage signal122.

At the same time, theresolution conversion unit103 generates ahorizontal sync signal119, avertical sync signal120, and apixel clock121 for driving thedisplay device105 and outputs these signals and clock to thedisplay device105. Thesehorizontal sync signal119,vertical sync signal120, andpixel clock121 are also input to anOSD generation unit108.

In accordance with the state of operation by anoperation unit125, thecontrol unit107 sets OSD for the OSDgeneration unit108 via acontrol line116 at any time. For example, when the user operates the sound volume control by theoperation unit125, thecontrol unit107 sets volume display on the screen for a few seconds. When the user presses the screen adjusting key, thecontrol unit107 sets adjustment item display on the screen. During this setting, thehorizontal sync signal119, thevertical sync signal120, thepixel clock121, and theimage signal122 are always output at a predetermined timing regardless of the resolution of theinput image signal109. TheOSD generation unit108 outputs anOSD signal123 synchronized with the inputhorizontal sync signal119,vertical sync signal120, andpixel clock121.

TheOSD mixing unit104 mixes theimage signal122 and theOSD signal123. FIG. 2 shows an example of this OSDmixing unit104. The operation will be described below with reference to FIG.2. In this example, assume that the digital image signal takes values of 256 gray levels from gray level0 to gray level255.

Referring to FIG. 2, anR image signal204,G image signal206, andB image signal208 as components of the output digitalRGB image signal122 output from theresolution conversion unit103 are input to one terminal of aswitch201, one terminal of aswitch202, and one terminal of aswitch203, respectively.

Additionally, theOSD generation unit108 outputs OSD gray scale signals of individual colors, i.e., anROSD signal205, a GOSDsignal207, and aBOSD signal209, in units of pixels to the other terminals of the above switches.

The image signals and OSD signals of individual colors input to these switches are switched in units of pixels by anR selection signal210,G selection signal211, andB selection signal212 input from theOSD generation unit108, and then output as anR output signal213, aG output signal214, and aB output signal215, respectively.

With the above arrangement and operation, for each pixel of the resolution-convertedimage signal122, it is possible to select image signal display or 256-level OSD for each color.

The output timing of theOSD signal123 from theOSD generation unit108 and the timings of switching of the

switches

201,202, and203 by the

control signals

210,211, and212 are based on thehorizontal sync signal119, thevertical sync signal120, and thepixel clock121. Therefore, theOSD signal123 is always mixed in the same position of theimage signal122 regardless of the resolution of theinput image signal109.

Thedisplay device105 receives a digital RGB signal and a driving signal and displays an image. That is, thisdisplay device105 receives thedigital image signal124 output from theOSD mixing unit104 and the outputhorizontal sync signal119,vertical sync signal120, andpixel clock121 output from theresolution conversion unit103, and displays an image on its screen. On this screen, OSD is always performed in the same position with the same size regardless of the resolution of theinput image signal109.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, an analog RGBinput image signal310, such as a computer RGB image signal or a video RGB image signal, is input to an A/D conversion unit301. Note that a composite video signal or the like is input to the A/D conversion unit301 after being converted into an analog RGB signal. Simultaneously, ahorizontal sync signal311 andvertical sync signal312 synchronized with the analog RGBinput image signal310 are input to aresolution conversion unit303 and acontrol IC308.

From the inputhorizontal sync signal311 andvertical sync signal312, thecontrol IC308 measures the horizontal frequency, the polarity of horizontal sync signal, the vertical frequency, and the polarity of vertical sync signal of theinput image signal310. On the basis of the measurement results, thecontrol IC308 determines the resolution of theinput image signal310.

Aclock generation unit307 receives resolution information such as a frequency division number from thecontrol IC308 via acontrol line314. On the basis of the received information, theclock generation unit307 divides the frequency of thehorizontal sync signal311 to generate apixel clock313 synchronized with theinput image signal310. Thispixel clock313 is input to the A/D conversion unit301, asignal processing unit302, and theresolution conversion unit303 and used in signal processing by each unit.

The A/D conversion unit301 samples the analog RGBinput image signal310 in units of pixels in accordance with thepixel clock310, thereby converting the signal into a digital value. An A/D-converteddigital image signal318 is input to thesignal processing unit302. On the basis of processing information such as a contrast value, brightness value, and gamma value received from thecontrol IC308 via acontrol line315, thesignal processing unit302 performs contrast processing, brightness processing, and gamma processing for theinput image signal318.

Animage signal319 thus processed by thesignal processing unit302 is input to theresolution conversion unit303. On the basis of resolution information received from thecontrol IC308 via acontrol line316, theresolution conversion unit303 converts the resolution in accordance with the number of pixels of aliquid crystal panel306. Assume, for example, that the resolution of theinput image signal310 is 1,600 (horizontal direction)×1,200 (vertical direction) pixels and the resolution of theliquid crystal panel306 is 1,280×1,024 pixels.

When this is the case, thecontrol IC308 sets 1,600×1,200 sampling of theimage signal319 and the sampling start position for theresolution conversion unit303. In accordance with these settings, theresolution conversion unit303 samples theimage signal319 by 1,600×1,200 pixels, reduces it to an image having 1,280×1,024 pixels which is the resolution of theliquid crystal panel306 by an operation such as interpolation, and outputs it as animage signal326.

Also, theresolution conversion unit303 outputs, to theliquid crystal panel306, ahorizontal driving signal320,vertical driving signal321, andpixel driving signal322 for driving theliquid crystal panel306. Thepixel driving signal322 is also input to aDA conversion unit304 and anOSD mixing unit305 and used in processing by each unit.

Furthermore, theresolution conversion unit303 generates ahorizontal sync signal323,vertical sync signal324, andpixel clock325 synchronized with the convertedimage signal326 and outputs these signals and clock to anOSDIC309. In accordance with the state of operation by anoperation unit330, thecontrol IC308 sets OSD for theOSDIC309 via acontrol line117 at any time.

For example, when the user operates the sound volume control by theoperation unit330, thecontrol IC308 sets volume display on the screen for a few seconds. When the user presses the screen adjusting key, thecontrol IC308 sets adjustment item display on the screen. During this setting, thehorizontal driving signal320, thevertical driving signal321, thepixel driving signal322, theimage signal326, thehorizontal sync signal323, thevertical sync signal324, and thepixel clock325 are always output at a predetermined timing regardless of the resolution of theinput image signal310.

TheOSDIC309 outputs anOSD signal328 synchronized with the inputhorizontal sync signal323,vertical sync signal324, andpixel clock325. TheDA conversion unit304 receives the output image signal326 from theresolution conversion unit303, converts the signal into an analog value, and outputs as ananalog image signal327.

TheOSD mixing unit305 mixes theimage signal327 and theOSD signal328. FIG. 4 shows an example of thisOSD mixing unit305. The operation will be described below with reference to FIG.4.

Referring to FIG. 4, anR image signal407,G image signal409, andB image signal411 as components of the output analogRGB image signal327 output from theresolution conversion unit303 are input to one terminal of aswitch401, one terminal of aswitch402, and one terminal of aswitch403, respectively.

Also, OSD levels 1 of individual colors, e.g., analog voltage values of black signals are input as anROSD signal408, aGOSD signal410, and aBOSD signal412 to the other terminals of the above switches. These ROSD, GOSD, and BOSD signals408,410, and412 can take predetermined fixed values or can be set by thecontrol IC308 at any time.

The

switches

401,402, and403 select an image signal and an OSD signal for each pixel in accordance with anR selection signal413,G selection signal414, andB selection signal415 input from theOSDIC309. AnR image signal413,G image signal414, andB image signal415 as components of the selected image signal are input to one terminal of aswitch404, one terminal of aswitch405, and one terminal of aswitch406, respectively.

Additionally, OSD levels 2 of individual colors, e.g., analog voltage values corresponding to the maximum luminance, are input as anROSD signal416, aGOSD signal417, and aBOSD418 to the other terminals of the above switches. These ROSD, GOSD, and BOSD signals416,417, and418 can take predetermined fixed values or can be set by thecontrol IC308 at any time.

The

switches

404,405, and406 select an image signal and an OSD signal for each pixel in accordance with anR selection signal419,G selection signal420, andB selection signal421 input from theOSDIC309, and output anR image output422, aG image output423, and aB image output424, respectively.

With the above arrangement and operation, for each pixel of the image signal, it is possible to select image signal display or two-level OSD for each color.

The output timing of the OSD signal328 from theOSDIC309, the timings of switching of the

switches

401,402, and403 by the control signals413,414, and415, and the timings of switching of the

switches

404,405, and406 by the control signals418,419, and420 are synchronized with thehorizontal sync signal323,vertical sync signal324, andpixel clock325 input to theOSDIC309. Also, thehorizontal sync signal323, thevertical sync signal324, and thepixel clock325 are synchronized with theimage signal327. That is, theOSD signal328 and theimage signal327 are in synchronism with each other. Therefore, theOSD signal328 is always overwritten in the same position of theimage signal327 regardless of the resolution of theinput image signal310.

Theliquid crystal panel306 receives an analog RGB signal and a driving signal and displays an image. That is, thisliquid crystal display306 receives theanalog image signal329 output from theOSD mixing unit305 and the outputhorizontal driving signal320,vertical driving signal321, andpixel driving signal322 output from theresolution conversion unit303, and displays an image on the screen. On this screen, OSD is always performed in the same position with the same size regardless of the resolution of theinput image signal310.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a digital RGBinput image signal507, such as a computer RGB image signal or a video image signal, is input to asignal processing unit501. Note that a computer analog signal or a video analog signal is input to thesignal processing unit501 after being converted into a digital RGB signal.

Simultaneously, ahorizontal sync signal508 andvertical sync signal509 synchronized with the digital RGBinput image signal507 are input to aresolution conversion unit502 and acontrol unit505. Also, apixel clock510 of the digital RGBinput image signal507 is input to thesignal processing unit501 and theresolution conversion unit502.

From the inputhorizontal sync signal508 andvertical sync signal509, thecontrol unit505 measures the horizontal frequency, the polarity of horizontal sync signal, the vertical frequency, and the polarity of vertical sync signal of theinput image signal507. On the basis of the measurement results, thecontrol unit505 determines the resolution of theinput image signal507.

Thepixel clock510 is input to thesignal processing unit501 and theresolution conversion unit502 and used in signal processing by each unit.

On the basis of processing information such as a contrast value, brightness value, and gamma value received from thecontrol unit505 via acontrol line511, thesignal processing unit501 performs contrast processing, brightness processing, and gamma processing for theinput image signal507.

Animage signal514 thus processed by thesignal processing unit501 is input to theresolution conversion unit502. On the basis of resolution information received from thecontrol unit505 via acontrol line512, theresolution conversion unit502 converts the resolution of theimage signal514 in accordance with the number of pixels of adisplay device504 such as a liquid crystal panel. Assume, for example, that the resolution of theinput image signal507 is800 (horizontal direction)×600 (vertical direction) pixels and the resolution of thedisplay device504 is 1,024×768 pixels.

When this is the case, thecontrol unit505 sets the sampling start position and the magnification for enlarging theimage signal514 for theresolution conversion unit502. In accordance with these settings, theresolution conversion unit502 samples theimage signal514 by 800×600 pixels, enlarges it to an image having 1,024×768 pixels which is the resolution of thedisplay device504 by an operation such as interpolation, and outputs it as animage signal518.

At the same time, theresolution conversion unit502 outputs, to thedisplay device504, ahorizontal sync signal515,vertical sync signal516, andpixel clock signal517 for driving thedisplay device504. Simultaneously, thesehorizontal sync signal515,vertical sync signal516, andpixel clock signal517 are input to anOSD generation unit506. Thepixel clock signal517 is also input to anOSD mixing unit503 at the same time.

In accordance with the state of operation by anoperation unit522, thecontrol unit505 sets ON/OFF of OSD, the display position of OSD, character strings to be displayed, and OSD signal output timings for theOSD generation unit506 at any time via acontrol line513. For example, when the user switches channels with theoperation unit522, thecontrol unit505 displays a new channel on the screen and turns off the display a few seconds later. When the user presses the screen adjusting key, thecontrol unit505 displays adjustment items on the screen.

On the basis of the OSD display information set by thecontrol unit505, theOSD generation unit506 outputs, to theOSD mixing unit503, anOSD signal519, synchronized with the inputhorizontal sync signal515,vertical sync signal516, andpixel clock signal517, and aselection signal520 for determining the method of mixing of OSD.

TheOSD mixing unit503 mixes theimage signal518 and theOSD signal519. FIG. 6 shows an example of thisOSD mixing unit503. The operation will be described below with reference to FIG.6.

Of the output digitalRGB image signal518 output from theresolution conversion unit502, ared image signal612 as a red component is input to one terminal of amultiplier602. Similarly, agreen image signal617 as a green component of theimage signal518 is input to one terminal of amultiplier605, and ablue image signal622 as a blue component is input to one terminal of amultiplier608. Each arithmetic unit such as a multiplier or selector receives apixel clock signal610 output from theresolution conversion unit502 to obtain synchronization with the resolution-converted image.

Each of thered image signal612, thegreen image signal617, and theblue image signal622 is 8-bit digital data and has 256 gray levels taking values from 0 to 255 respectively.

Of theoutput OSD signal519 output from theOSD generation unit506, anOSD signal613 as a red component is input to the other terminal of themultiplier602 and to abuffer601. It is assumed that thisred OSD signal613 is 8-bit digital data and has 256 gray levels.

Themultiplier602 multiplies thered image signal612 by thered OSD signal613 and outputs the product as asignal615. That is, thissignal615 represents an image formed by changing the contrast of thered image signal612. Thered OSD signal613 represents the coefficient of the multiplication for thered image signal612, e.g., represents x0 to x2. Therefore, if this coefficient is x1, the value of thered image signal612 is directly output. If the product exceeds +255 as the maximum value of 8 bits, correction is performed to set +255 as the product, and this product is output as thesignal615. In this manner, by controlling the value of thisred OSD signal613 at an appropriate timing, OSD multiplexing (mixing) is realized by contrast change.

Thebuffer601 is a delay buffer for synchronization with a delay generated in the processing by themultiplier602.

The output signals614 and615 from thebuffer601 and themultiplier602 are input to aselector603. In accordance with aselection signal611 input from theOSD generation unit506, theselector603 selects one of these two inputs and outputs the selected signal as asignal616.

If theselection signal611 is at low level, thesignal614, i.e., thered OSD signal613 is selected. This realizes OSD multiplexing (mixing) by switching by theselector603. If theselection signal611 is at high level, thesignal615, i.e., the image formed by changing the contrast of thered image signal612 is selected. To mix OSD by selector switching, therefore, if the red OSD signal613 as the coefficient of multiplication is set to x1.0 during the period in which theselection signal611 is at high level, i.e., in which thesignal615 is selected, this is equivalent to performing no contrast changing process for the inputred image signal612. Hence, thisred image signal612 is directly output. On the other hand, to mix (in the mode of mixing) OSD by changing the contrast as described above, thesignal615 is always selected by theselection signal611.

Thegreen image signal617 and theblue image signal622 are processed in entirely the same manner as for thered image signal612 and output as anoutput signal621 and anoutput signal626, respectively.

In the above embodiment, an image signal and an OSD signal are mixed by multiplication. However, addition, subtraction, and bit inversion can also be performed as well as multiplication. When addition or subtraction is performed, a superposition signal of an image signal and an OSD signal can be generated. When bit inversion is performed, an image in which black and white portions are inverted can be generated. Furthermore, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and bit inversion can be combined. If this is the case, a variety of display modes are allowed.

In this embodiment, the selectoroutput selection signal611 is common to three colors R, G, and B. However, different selection signals can also be used for these three colors. Since in this case different mixing methods can be chosen for these three colors, a variety of display modes are allowed.

TheOSD signal519 is synchronized with thehorizontal sync signal515,vertical sync signal516, andpixel clock signal517 input to theOSD generation unit506, so thisOSD signal519 is in synchronism with theimage signal518. Accordingly, theOSD signal519 is always mixed in the same position of theimage signal518 regardless of the resolution of theinput image signal507.

Thedisplay device504 receives a digital RGB signal and a driving signal and displays an image. That is, thisdisplay device504 receives the outputdigital image signal521 output from theOSD mixing unit503 and the outputhorizontal sync signal515,vertical sync signal516, andpixel clock signal517 output from theresolution conversion unit502, and displays an image on the screen.

With the above arrangement and operation, various images such as a normal image, an image containing only OSD, and an image formed by changing the contrast can be selectively displayed on the screen for each pixel. On the screen, OSD is always performed in the same position with the same size regardless of the resolution of theinput image signal507.

A recording medium according to the present invention will be described next.

Each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 can be constituted by either hardware or a computer system including a CPU and a memory. When each embodiment is constituted by a computer system, the memory forms a storage medium according to the present invention. This storage medium stores programs for executing the operations explained in each embodiment.

This storage medium can be any of a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or RAM, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, a magnetic storage medium, and the like. These storage media can be used in the form of, e.g., a CD-ROM, an FD, a magnetic card, a magnetic tape, and a nonvolatile memory card.

Accordingly, by using this storage medium in a system or apparatus other than the systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and allowing the system or its computer to read out and execute program codes stored in the storage medium, it is possible to realize functions equivalent to those of the above embodiments, to obtain equivalent effects, and to achieve the objects of the present invention.

Furthermore, it is possible to realize functions equivalent to those of the above embodiments, to obtain equivalent effects, and to achieve the objects of the present invention, when an OS or the like operating on a computer executes a part or the whole of processing, or when program codes read out from a storage medium are written in a memory of a function extension board inserted into a computer or of a function extension unit connected to a computer and, on the basis of instructions from the program codes, a CPU or the like of the function extension board or the function extension unit executes a part or the whole of processing.

Many widely different embodiments of the present invention may be constructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the specification, except as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A display apparatus comprising:

resolution converting means for converting the resolution of an input image signal into a predetermined resolution and generating a sync signal synchronized with the converted image signal;

mixing means for mixing an on-screen display signal synchronized with the sync signal and the converted image signal, wherein said mixing means comprises generating means for generating a coefficient signal associated with the on-screen display signal, and multiplying means for multiplying the converted image signal by the coefficient signal; and

display means for displaying an image related to an image signal output from said mixing means in accordance with the sync signal.

2. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said resolution converting means converts the resolution of the input image signal in accordance with the display resolution of said display means.

3. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said resolution converting means generates a horizontal sync signal, a vertical sync signal, and a pixel clock.

4. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said mixing means comprises generating means for generating an on-screen display level signal for determining the luminance of the on-screen display signal, and selecting means for selectively outputting the converted image signal and the on-screen display level system.

5. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said resolution converting means comprises resolution determining means for determining the resolution of the input image signal, and performs a resolution conversion process for the input image signal in accordance with the determination result.

6. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said mixing means further comprises selecting means for selectively outputting the coefficient signal and an image signal output from said multiplying means.

7. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said display means comprises a liquid crystal panel.

8. A display method comprising:

a resolution conversion step of converting the resolution of an input image signal into a predetermined resolution and generating a sync signal synchronized with the converted image signal;

a mixing step of mixing an on-screen display signal synchronized with the sync signal and the converted image signal, wherein said mixing step comprises a step of generating a coefficient signal associated with the on-screen display signal, and a step of multiplying the converted image signal by the coefficient signal; and

a display step of displaying an image related to an image signal output in said mixing step in accordance with the sync signal.

9. A method according toclaim 8, wherein said resolution conversion step comprises a step of converting the resolution of the input image signal in accordance with the display resolution of said display step.

10. A method according toclaim 8, wherein said resolution conversion step comprises a step of generating a horizontal sync signal, a vertical sync signal, and a pixel clock.

11. A method according toclaim 8, wherein said mixing step comprises a step of generating an on-screen display level signal for determining the luminance of the on-screen display signal, and a step of selectively outputting the converted image signal and the on-screen display level signal.

12. A method according toclaim 8, wherein said resolution conversion step comprises a step of determining the resolution of the input image signal, and comprises a step of performing a resolution conversion process for the input image signal in accordance with the determination result.

13. A method according toclaim 8, wherein said mixing step further comprises a step of selectively outputting the coefficient signal ands an image signal from said multiplication step.

14. A method according toclaim 8, wherein said display step comprises using a liquid crystal panel.

15. A display apparatus comprising:

mixing means for mixing an on-screen display signal synchronized with the sync signal and the converted image signal, wherein said mixing means comprises generating means for generating a first signal having a first predetermined level associated with the on-screen display signal and a second signal having a second predetermined level associated with the on-screen display signal, and selecting means for selectively outputting the converted image signal and the first and second signals; and

16. A display method comprising:

a resolution converting step of converting the resolution of an input image signal into a predetermined resolution and generating a sync signal synchronized with the converted image signal;

a mixing step of mixing an on-screen display signal synchronized with the sync signal and the converted image signal, wherein said mixing step comprises a step of generating a first signal having a first predetermined level associated with the on-screen display signal and a second signal having a second predetermined level associated with the on-screen display signal, and a step of selectively outputting the converted image signal and the first and second signals; and

17. A display control apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting an image signal;

resolution converting means for converting the resolution of the image signal input by said input means into a predetermined resolution and for outputting a resolution converted image signal;

mixing means for generating a coefficient signal associated with an on-screen display signal to be mixed with the resolution converted image signal and for mixing an on-screen display signal and the resolution converted image signal outputted from said resolution converting means by multiplying the resolution converted image signal by the coefficient signal; and

output means for outputting a mixed image signal output from said mixing means to a display device so that an image related to the mixed image signal is displayed by said display device.

18. An apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein said resolution converting means converts the resolution of the input image signal in accordance with the display resolution of said display device.

19. An apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein said resolution converting means comprises resolution determining means for determining the resolution of the input image signal, and performs a resolution conversion process for the input image signal in accordance with the determining result.

20. An apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein said input means inputs the image signal from a computer device.

21. An apparatus according toclaim 17, further comprising on-screen display signal generating means for generating the on-screen display signal and for outputting the on-screen display signal, said mixing means mixing the on-screen display signal outputted from said on-screen display signal generating means and the resolution converted image signal.